Bruce triples, Reed solid in Reds' loss to Mariners

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Jay Bruce hit a two-run triple and Cody Reed struck out four in three scoreless innings, but the Cincinnati Reds lost to a Seattle Mariners split-squad 5-2 on Saturday night.

Jose Peraza had three hits and Joey Votto singled and walked in three trips to the plate. Both scored on Bruce's triple high off the right field wall off Vidal Nuno, who made 10 starts for the Mariners last season after a trade with the Diamondbacks.

It was the second three-hit day in a row for Peraza, who came to the Reds from the Dodgers in a three-team trade involving Todd Frazier.

''Peraza was impressive,'' Reds manager Bryan Price said. ''I wasn't there yesterday when he hit the home run, but it was good to see him go first to third on Votto's hit. That was a rocket.''

Votto has reached base in 12 of his 22 plate appearances.

The Mariners' Shawn O'Malley tripled and scored on a single by Luis Sardinas to break a scoreless tie off Ryan Mattheus in the sixth. O'Malley had two hits.

Tyler O'Neill hit a three-run homer and Dae-Ho Lee had an RBI single for Seattle during a four-run eighth-inning rally.

Mike Montgomery matched Reed with three scoreless innings. Montgomery allowed two hits and Reed just

''Montgomery's fastball had good life to it. His offspeed stuff was sharp. It was really good for his first time out,'' Mariner's bench coach Tim Bogar said. ''I thought Nuno's stuff was good. He pounded the strike zone. Nuno got a little tired in his third inning. We stretched him out a little.''

Price was pleased with his starter.

''Cody was phenomenal,'' Price said. ''He pounded the zone with his fastball and slider.''

COMEBACKERS

Both pitchers survived line drives through the box.

Reed deflected a line drive by O'Malley with his glove.

''I was mad. I should have caught it,'' Reed said.

Montgomery took a line drive by Votto off his right side but recovered in time to record the out.

''I haven't been out there so long, I forgot to catch it,'' Montgomery said. ''Then I had to look for the ball. It hit my soft spot.''

STARTING TIME

Mariners: Montgomery, who has fallen behind Nathan Karns and James Paxton for the Mariners' fifth spot in the starting rotation, made his first start. Montgomery had a cyst removed from his neck that cost him a couple days. The left-hander allowed two hits and a walk in three scoreless innings.

''It went really well for not having pitched in a game for six months,'' Montgomery said. ''I just tried to throw strikes. I'm not that far behind. I wanted to take care of the cyst after the season but they told me it was better to take care of it now to avoid complications.''

Reds: Reed, the Reds' key acquisition in the trade for Johnny Cueto, pitched three scoreless innings for the second outing in a row.

''I was supposed to throw four innings but my pitch count was a little high,'' said Reed, who has allowed one earned run in eight innings over three appearances. ''I was off a little in the bullpen. I was throwing across my body, but I got on the mound and was OK. I concentrated on using my changeup more.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mariners: RHP Ryan Cook was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a strained right lat. The move made room on the 40-man roster for C Rob Brantly, who was claimed off waivers from the White Sox.

Reds: Homer Bailey threw a 45-pitch bullpen on Friday. Bailey had his second elbow surgery on May 8. C Devin Mesoraco is progressing after a sore quad caused a setback from his recovery from hip surgery. Mesoraco is expected to play in games around March 18 or 19. RHP Raisel Iglesias has thrown live batting practice and is scheduled to make his first start on Monday.

UP NEXT

These two teams will meet again on Sunday with the Mariners hosting. RHP Anthony DeSclafani will pitch for the Reds. Karns will pitch with the Mariners.